The lack of area volunteers willing to run into smoky house fires, perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation on critically ill patients and jump into freezing waters to save potential drowning victims is dwindling even more than many of us have suspected. In Essex County, for example, officials are calling it a crisis.
That county has seen a dramatic decline in the number of volunteer firefighters and emergency-medical technicians in just a few years. Active volunteer firefighters, the first responders in the small, rural towns and villages in Essex County, have dropped from 1,400 to about 1,000 in the last few years. The sharp drop in numbers is also prevalent in Clinton and Franklin counties, we're told.
It's way past time for some of our communities to stop twiddling their thumbs waiting for New York state or the federal government to help swell their volunteer ranks. In these times of fiscal distress, it's important these communities create their own plans and incentives to ensure that when residents call 9-1-1 for an emergency, trained rescuers and firefighters are quickly on their way. There will be little help for them if they don't bite the bullet and help themselves.
It's difficult to imagine that 20 to 30 years ago many area volunteer fire departments had waiting lists; they had more people interested in joining the ranks than they were authorized or could suit up in protective gear. The same could be said for aspiring EMTs. Socialization was a key component. The rules were different in those days, too. Although training was available, some members didn't avail themselves of it and training records for the most part were incomplete at best. Ambulances didn't always have a qualified EMT on board. It was the era of load and go.
Today, the training is rigorous for both firefighters and EMTs. It takes a lot of hours, and training is often scheduled at inconvenient times. For working spouses and those with child-rearing obligations, it's not easy to balance familial responsibilities and training.
The amount of time to train and qualify, whether firefighter or EMT, can be blamed for lack of volunteers, and often is. State and federal governments require more and more of it, to a point where it's not worth it to many potential community volunteers.
And that's where we're at.
There appears to be no cheap solution. Incentives for volunteers are lacking, and what there was has been eliminated (state-sponsored firefighter scholarships). Now it's up to the communities.
Some area volunteer departments do offer some incentives to keep their numbers stable. Department-paid life-insurance policies and some retirement benefits are just a couple.
North Country communities and their first responders need to come together and discuss the issue. And these local government entities might have to loosen up their purse strings, or at least approach the idea with an open mind. It's time.
Opinion
April 17, 2009
EDITORIAL: Firefighters need incentives
- Editorial
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Editorial: New rules force change
Sometimes the government forces us to do the right thing. That is what happened with the new regulations covering school lunches.
- Editorial: Chamber sets high standards
- Editorial: Time to address tenure failings
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Editorial: New rules force change
- Cheers and Jeers
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Cheers and Jeers: Jan. 23, 2012
CHEERS to the firefighters of the North Country and the Champlain Valley Heart Center at CVPH Medical Center.
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Cheers and Jeers: Jan. 23, 2012
- Letters to the Editor
- Speakout
- In My Opinion
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In My Opinion: Behind the city lockbox program
AFSCME Local 788 has received the opinion and award of Arbitrator Kenneth J. Toomey denying the union's grievance of the city's Financial Lockbox, by which residents' water, sewer and trash payments can be routed to a Glens Falls National Bank subcontractor in Hicksville, Long Island, union President Denise Nephew writes.
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In My Opinion: Behind the city lockbox program
